Victory in Prayer

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Victory in Prayer

Date: Apr. 11, 2017

Passage

Mark 14:32-42 (ESV)

32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.” 35 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 36 And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. 41 And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 14:36

And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

1. The cup (32-34)

The burden our Lord was about to bear was very real. Jesus was overcome with sorrow to the point of death. Not only did he face the horrors of crucifixion, but the full extent of God's wrath for the sin of the whole world. He would be separated from the Father and, as the Bible says, actually become sin. Such a thing was completely repulsive to the pure and holy Son of God. No doubt, this was also the moment of Satan's fiercest temptations. We can envision him whispering in Jesus' ear that certainly there must be an easier way. How could Jesus bear such a burden? He turned to the Father in prayer.

2. God's will, not ours (35-42)

Jesus prayed, "Yet not what I will, but what you will." Prayer is a struggle for God's will to win out over our own will. By accepting our Father's will, we put our trust and faith in Him and His strength becomes our strength. Look at our Lord's courage after prayer! He did not run or hide. Instead, he said "Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" This is what happens when we place our lives in the Father's hands. Jesus told his disciples to "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." As Jesus demonstrated, this is the path to victory.

Prayer: Father, may your will be done in our lives as well.

One Word: Not my will, but God's will

God Shows His Approval

2 Chronicles 7:1-22

Key Verse: 7:14

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Today's Question

What is sin?

See answer and references